Chennai, November 13 (IANS). The state health department has issued a warning regarding increase in dengue, influenza and viral infections in many districts of Tamil Nadu amid heavy rains.
Chennai and its adjoining districts of Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur are witnessing a rise in cases of fever, respiratory infections and viral diseases. Reports of malaria and leptospirosis have also emerged from different parts of the state. The health department has urged residents to take extra precautions, especially children.
Officials asked to pay attention to symptoms like high fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body ache and headache. It is advised that if you see such symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.
Rajni Warrier, an entomologist at a private hospital in Chennai, told IANS that if the dry cough seen in children often persists for more than two weeks, that is a sign of viral infection.
He said that since the onset of Northeast Monsoon on October 17, there has been a significant increase in cases of fever, headache and throat infection.
Rajni said that throat infection can persist even after the fever subsides and people suffering from chronic diseases like respiratory, kidney or liver problems need to take extra precautions during this season.
Dr. Warrier also advised to avoid eating outside and drinking water, as bacterial diseases like typhoid can spread easily during the rainy season.
Dr. Warrier advised parents to allow their children to drink only clean and boiled water. There is a risk of leptospirosis spreading through water contaminated with animal urine.
More than 18,000 dengue cases have been reported in Tamil Nadu since January 2024. The health department has asked residents to clean stagnant water around their homes to prevent mosquito breeding.
Health Minister Ma Subramaniam told IANS that the department is specifically keeping an eye on ten districts – Chennai, Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, Tiruppur, Tiruvallur, Theni, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Thanjavur and Tiruchi. 57 percent of the cases have been reported from here.
Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Dr. T.S. Selvavinayagam said the health department is monitoring the cases related to dengue and other fevers reported by government and private hospitals.
People have been advised not to allow rain water to accumulate in household waste items as mosquitoes breed in it.
-IANS
MKS/KR
